Hit-And-Run Kills Wheelchair-Bound Woman In North Hollywood

NORTH HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — A woman in a wheelchair was killed by a hit-and-run driver early Tuesday morning, police said.

The driver, who was behind the wheel of a white Ford Transit van, took off after the collision that occurred about 3:30 a.m. at Burbank Boulevard and Bonner Avenue, Los Angeles Police Department officials said. The woman and her wheelchair were dragged for at least 100 feet.

(credit: CBS)

The woman, in her 70s, died at a hospital. Her name was withheld pending notification of her relatives, but friends said her nickname was “Sunshine.”

Sunshine had apparently lived in the area for 50 years and was known for making her way outside so she could socialize with other people. She lived with a caregiver not far from where she was struck.

A friend and fellow wheelchair user, Candy Moore, said she was with her just before she was killed.

“I heard the impact, and I knew, I just knew,” Moore said tearfully. “Nobody would stop for her. She just said, ‘oh, oh’ and then she said my name.

“She didn’t deserve that.”

Anyone with information on the case can call police at (877) LAPD-247.